Sorry We're Late!

Sorry about not getting this out yesterday.  Normally our Sundays are low key, but not this week.  It has been a busy week from Thursday through Sunday.  Weeks ago, we planned a dentist appointment for Walt in Sheridan; since usually our Zone Conference is in Billings. Sheridan is about the halfway point between Newcastle and Billings. This time the Zone Conference was in Gillette; the closest to Newcastle it can be.  Luckily, Sheridan is about as far from Gillette as Newcastle.  I should put a map in here to help you get a feel for it.   

Map from Newcastle to Billings Montana

So Thursday morning we left for Sheridan and were there in plenty of time for the dentist.  This is the dentist President (Dr) Bailey highly recommended.  There was a tooth that had been filled twice and the cavity had extended to almost the nerve.  He was so fortunate, it hadn’t gotten all the way there yet.  He was able to get a filling instead of a root canal.  We spent the night at the Bailey’s and worked on our seminary lessons that afternoon.  We always love staying there.

Tooth Dam - Walt took a selfie

Friday was Zone Conference.  President Larson (our mission president) is still in Arizona recovering from a major surgery; so President Synder (1st counselor) has been taking care of things until President Larson’s return.  This was the first time we met the Synders and they are just a wonderful couple.  They are “local”; from Cody, Wyoming.  We were able to sit with them and some of the Sister missionaries during lunch.  It was great to get to know them.  We often get comments from other couples such as, “We want to go on a mission like you guys!”   To any of you able to go on a mission as a couple like us - DO IT!  Senior couples are so needed everywhere.  We are the only missionary couple in our Stake!  Before us, there had never been any here.  It is a sacrifice but we really see the blessing to others for our efforts.  Be brave - go on a mission!!

Our zone, The Wyoming East Zone.

Me with Elder Leavitt, Kerr an Slesk (who is going home this week)

The Wyoming West Zone.  The couple in the middle is Pres. and Sister Synder

Saturday and Sunday was Stake Conference.  A  “ward” is a congregation.  Then a group of wards is called a “Stake”.  Our Stake consist of 13 wards.  Twice a year there is Stake Conference.  It’s a great opportunity for the members to gather together in unity and be uplifted by the words of our Stake Presidency and other leaders and members.  President Bailey (who we stay with in Sheridan) is the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency.  On Saturday afternoon, there was a meeting for Priesthood Leadership.  Saturday evening is the adult session of conference.  It’s usually the best for some reason.  So we needed to be in Gillette (at the Stake Center- a church building that is larger than most) at 4 pm and then the adult session was at 7 pm.  The Sunday session is for everyone and starts at 10 am.  

A snapshot of Stake Conference on Sunday.  We fill it to the back of the gym.

Funny story here -  So we are plan was to drive home from Gillette on Friday after Zone Conference, then Saturday driving back to Gillette and then driving back after the meetings.  Returning to Gillette on Sunday for that session and driving home afterwards.  Lots and lots of driving.  The Bailey’s often spend the night in Gillette for Stake Conference on Saturday to avoid so much driving.  This time, the Sunday meetings were divided, with one in Gillette in the morning and the other in Sheridan in the afternoon.  Our stake doesn’t fit in the Stake center very well anymore.  So only President Bailey was staying overnight on Saturday in Gillette.  While we were there on Thursday, he talked with Walt about staying with him on Saturday night.  Walt’s understanding was that Pres. Bailey had a two bedroom reservation.  I thought it sounded great. After the adult session on Saturday, we are leaving the chapel and Pres. Bailey says, “Are you sure you are ok with sharing a room with me?”  That sounded odd to us.  Walt says, “Isn’t it a two bedroom place?” Pres. responded. “Don’t I wish!  It’s a room with two beds.”  Ahh - not a two bedroom but a two bed room!   Not quite the same thing. I wasn’t so sure, since Walt snores and I try hard not to do weird or embarrassing things after taking my sleep medication.  It all worked out fine, and we all got more sleep and less driving time.   Just a funny mixup though!

I’ll share about the rest of the week and then about the good things we learned in Stake Conference.  Monday was low key.  We got house things done, worked on Seminary lessons (of course) and wrote to all the grandchildren.  This time, I left room for Walt to write in the cards as well.  Sometimes, more room than on other cards.  I just wasn’t sure how much space he would need and he writes pretty small.  We are so grateful to get mail from them.  It makes us feel so loved.  

We’ve commented before on our incessant mosquito problem.  We got some spray that is used with a hose and spray your yard.  It was quite the ordeal to get that accomplished.  The hose connection to the house was loaded with calcium build up and took some work to be able to connect the hose.  Walt sprayed the whole yard (back, sides, and front).  Currently, we aren’t sure it really helped.  There seems to always be some kind of little something flying all around us as we sit on the porch.  Right now, I am there and have two citronella candles lit (one on each side of me).  Not sure if they are gnats or mosquitos visiting with me.   Monday evening, we had dinner with the Knights.  We had huge steaks, potatoes, salad,  biscuits, corn on the cob and lemon bars.  I only had room for the steak, corn, a biscuit and a lemon bar.  We always have a nice time at their place.  We always leave feeling full in our stomachs and in our hearts.

Tuesday was District Council.  We talked about what our purpose is as missionaries, and then what is our purpose on a personal level.  What is it that we specifically are here on earth to do?  That was an interesting thing to ponder.  Each of us has the ultimate goal of getting back to Heavenly Father and doing the things here on earth that enable us to accomplish that goal.  But I really feel that there are different things we each need to accomplish here in addition.  Some have a need to help in the community, or larger.  Some are meant to help in the field of medicine, science, as teachers, share their talents for music, art, etc.  You guys get it.  It made me think about what specific things were My purpose while here on earth.  Maybe you all will think about what your purpose is as well.  Food for thought.

That afternoon, we met with a family and had a lesson on the scriptures.  We have come to love the scriptures so much.  The more you read and study, the more you can feel God’s presence in your life and feel His love for you.  It’s a promise!!!  The lesson went well.  Our last appointment was for dinner with a great guy we met who works at the Manor (where we call Bingo).  He works there and is also a minister.  He has been saying he wants us over to dinner for a while and we finally nailed down a date.  His wife is noted for her chicken enchiladas and they were very tasty.  Their teenage daughter made some brownies from scratch for dessert.  It was a very nice visit.  I was a little worried there would be conflicting doctrine conversations, but it was just a great visit.  We talked about all kinds of things, religious and non-religious.  I think everyone really enjoyed the evening.

All week, we have strived to get to bed at a decent hour, so we are not so tired.  On Monday and Tuesday, we thanked our hosts and got out close to 8 pm.  That seems so early, but final preparation for the lesson the next day and getting ready for bed seems to always take longer than anticipated.  We didn’t do too bad.  Since we were in Sheridan overnight on Thursday, we got a sub for seminary for Friday.  I was hoping to sleep in a little, but forgot my meds and didn’t fall asleep until 1 am.  We had to get up by 6:30 to get to Zone Conference on time.

We were able to sleep in till 8 am on Saturday - our only sleep in day.  The Bishop was “processing” cattle on Saturday and invited us to help out.  Evidently, “processing” is just giving the calfs more shots and spraying all the cows for flies.  With having Stake Conference that week-end, we had to decline to allow time to get lessons ready for the upcoming week; especially the first half.  The Elders were able to go though.  

Sunday after Stake Conference, we stopped by Gary’s for a short visit.  We shared some things from conference since he didn’t attend.  Then off to the Smith’s.  His parents and sister are in town from Arizona.  So they decided to have a get together with them and several of Renee’s good friends.  He invited us as well.  Renee really enjoyed the time with friends and family.  Renee has lots of friends and previous co-workers, but doesn’t get that many visitors.  I have never seen her smile so much!  She is just such a positive and happy person.  I admire her so much!  We were there until about 7 pm; getting home around 7:45.  We spent some time talking with Abe and Anya and then I needed to finish getting my lesson stuff together.  So I opted to do our weekly email today instead of staying up later.  

Haley was helping cut things for the party.  Little girl with a BIG knife!

Some “nuggets” from Stake Conference.  One thing I really liked from President Gormley (Temple President) - We need to focus on the blessings in our lives not the things we aren’t getting right or not doing.  I know I am so guilty of that.  Heavenly Father wants us to be successful and happy.  It’s hard to do that when we only focus on what we need to do better.  Heavenly Father knows our potential - we are His children.  

One of my favorite talks was about invitations.  We get invitations to parties, weddings, and other gatherings.  There is one invitation to which all of us have been extended - “Come - unto Me.”  An invitation from the Savior - to learn of Him, love, Him, and follow Him.  In return, He offers to make our burdens light (Matthew 11:28), that we will thirst no more (John 3:37), that He will strengthen our weaknesses (Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon), and He will heal us ( Isaiah 53:5, and 3 Nephi 18:32 in the Book of Mormon), and so much more.  He wants us to come just as we as we are to Him.  It doesn’t matter where we are - only what direction we are going.  I would have to say that is one of most significant invitations that I have ever received. I testify that He can and will do all that He has promised if we seek and follow Him.  That is why we are here - to help others to know of Jesus Christ’s invitation to us all - to Come and Follow Him.  We can only try our best.

We love you all, pray for you and miss you a lot.